FINALLY .... repower...

[RUSTYNTABATHA]

I know this has been beaten to death.... Have a hook on a 09 115 etec that is a dealer floor demo i can pickup with rigging for 7000... this motor has 0 hours and will come with the 3 year warranty but not eligible for the extended ... concerns are the weight as i am replacing the 115 tower of power... I know there is a difference but i think the pump and motor cant be that much in total difference... the pump for the mariner is in the stern ..... also will need suggestions on propping.... i would think a 4 blade would be best on my MA but whatever does the best for pushing the sled with lots of A$$ on it.... currently the 83 115 cruise is around 19 kts.... tops out around 32 kts...
Thanks for the help as i know it will be actual knowledge...

PS..... what do i need to do about the fuel in the tank ???? I can burn most of it out before the swap.... but it will have some remaining. I also only use marine fuel... so no issues with that..

[McGillicuddy]

Rusty,
Unless your willing to drop down to a 90 hp etec or Suzuki for the weight savings, I'd jump on that etec 115 and still save a grand or 2. For the money with 3 year warranty, tough to beat. only 30 lbs more than the zuke 90 and probably 75 more than yours (move a couple of things around and your golden). The only other 115 I'd look at is the recent Merc 4-s command thrust variant...360 lbs with ample displacement and and a winning smile.

Send me a pm about that etec if you decide against it...

cheers,
Gillie

[Bushwacker]

Sounds like a good deal Rusty! However I would try to get the dealer to throw a new water pump impeller in it as part of the deal, since it's been sitting for ~6 years without turning, so the rubber has probably taken a set. Otherwise it might be susceptible to an impeller arm breaking off at pretty low hours!

Whatever prop you pick for that motor, the optimum RPM for it is 5600-5700, so make sure you're in that range with the load you normally carry. (I prefer being at the top of the range or a bit over, as margin in the event you occasionally happen to carry a heavier than normal load.) BTW, check out that E-TEC owners forum . . . it's much like CSC, with tons of useful info from some very savvy tech's! Those V-4's love to rev so better to be above that range than below it. Also make sure you use an accurate digital tach like I-Command that ties in to engine computer, not some analog tach, as they are notoriously inaccurate! Before you start fooling with props, make sure the motor height is correct, with the AV plate on top of solid water, clearly visible when up on plane with motor trimmed out as far as possible. Most dealers mount them too low, causing extra drag and loss of top speed. I'd start out with a 3B prop for best efficiency, probably a 15" pitch for heavy load, but if your min planing speed is too high (all the Moesly designed hulls will plane at about 12 mph with the motors they were designed for, i.e. about 300 lbs or less for the 20). If min planing speed is too high, you can try a 4B prop which will add more stern lift and/or a fin on the AV plate.

I'd also run nothing but the XD-100 full synthetic oil; the engine computer comes set for TCW-3 oil, but the dealer can set it to run XD-100 only, where it will use less oil and burn so clean that you'll never have to worry about doing a decarb on it! My local dealer sells it in bulk for about $35/gal, if you bring your own jug. It's expensive but you won't use much on a rig that can get 5 mpg!

[RUSTYNTABATHA]

Thanks guys... pulled the trigger today. . $ 7306 wirewrite harness and binacle included... but no cables or prop.. so I have to buy a prop and either pay for installation or install it and pay for a dealer inspection and computer set up for the warranty...

[RUSTYNTABATHA]

I did look at the mercury... but the etec was such a good deal...

[FishStretcher]

Depending on the gearcase ratio, a Solas Amita 4 blade in 17" or 15" pitch should work well. I have both. $100 each. My Yamaha F100 prefers the 15, but I bet the meatier Etec would prefer the 17.

Nice engine!

[TomParis]

gratz on the motor purchase, E-TEC and Seacraft got together like peas and carrots! post pics once its installed!

[Capt Terry]

Rusty-
You may want to research the ETECowners website & check with Bushwacker about throttle cables if yours is a mechanical throttle. I like my ETEC 150 HO on my '76 Seafari 20', but had a throttle sensitivity issue especially wakeboarding about 18mph. There are some discussions about this on ETECowners; make sure you have BRP cables & it sounds like there is a better grade of BRP cable with less sloppiness. Check it out & congrats. Look for ETECowner posts by Huey, Seahorse & Olypopper.

[RUSTYNTABATHA]

Cool Thanks to ALL !!!
FishStretcher PM inbound !!
Capt Terry I plan to use the Teleflex Ultraflex... they work really good in tight turns and are super smooth !!! I have merc stuff ill be pulling off for another boat in the yard ....

[McGillicuddy]

Lucky dog! Congrats! Get off yonder mountain for the sea is calling